Mr. Val Moran:

The 2019 agreement has had a very positive effect insofar as it has begun to unwind the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, provisions. It is only this month that they have been fully unwound. We hope that will have further effect as it beds down. However, it is only a reversal of cuts and the restoration of funding to 2008 levels. If we are to improve capacity, we need to directly target that with targeted incentives, for example, in the area of assistant GPs. If a single-handed GP is close to retirement, he or she may wish to bring in an assistant GP who would take over the practice over a period of years. Obviously, that is a sensible transition provision. If the outgoing GP were supported to take on an assistant, it would help address the situation where we see lists coming up in certain areas and no suitable candidates applying for them. That is one aspect.